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Former India head coach Ravi Shastri revealed that he did not consider Wasim Akram his friend when he was playing against him on the field. Before the Asia Cup Super 4 clash between arch-rivals at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, the two reflected on their friendship off the field.
“We were friends, and we still are, but on field, dosti gayi bhaad me (to hell with friendship on the field). But I would say that Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis changed ODI cricket. Only they knew reverse swing at that time and they would be too good in the last seven-ten overs. And we had to think how to score runs in death overs as they would make it very difficult,” Shastri told broadcasters on September 4.
The legendary Pakistan all-rounder had a cheeky remark in response to Shastri's comment as he said, “We were friends, but on the field, I would try to hit him on the head. Even Mike Atherton was my friend and I would hit him on the head as well. He would come to me and say, ‘what is wrong with you?’ So as Shaz said, on the field, we would not think of friendship.”
The 62-year-old brought his typical energy to the field at the coin toss which brought smiles to captains Rohit Sharma and Babar Azam’s faces. Shastri also lauded Rohit's captaincy and his intent to experiment before the T20 World Cup 2022 which will be played in Australia later this year.
“Rohit is a very seasoned captain. He knows what he wants to achieve at the T20 World Cup. I am not saying he will lose here trying to experiment, his primary goal will be to win here. But if he is sure about one player making the World Cup squad, and confused about two other players, he might go with them to get those answers,” he further added.
At the coin toss, Rohit announced three changes to the side. In the absence of an injured Ravindra Jadeja and an unwell Avesh Khan, he picked Deepak Hooda and Ravi Bishnoi to the side.
